Rh-ABO Incompatibility and Birth Injuries

What to Know If Your Child Suffers a Birth Injury Related to Rh-ABO Incompatibility

Throughout your pregnancy, you expect that the doctors and nurses surrounding you will promptly diagnose and treat any conditions that arise. A missed diagnosis can result in severe harm to you or your child. Many conditions are treatable such as blood incompatibility, but they must be correctly treated in order to reduce the risk of birth injury.

At The Beasley Firm, LLC, we help families obtain the compensation they deserve after a birth injury caused by medical malpractice. Our lawyers have handled hundreds of cases and recovered over $2 billion in verdicts and settlements on behalf of our clients. If your child was diagnosed with a birth injury related to blood incompatibility, contact our office at (215) 866-2424 to schedule a free consultation. 

What Is Rh Incompatibility?

Rh incompatibility is a dangerous medical condition when left untreated. It refers to when a woman has Rh-negative blood, and her fetus has Rh-positive blood. The blood incompatibility can cause the mother to produce antibodies that may then work to attack the baby’s red blood cells. When the red blood cells break down, they can cause serious problems, such as the creation of bilirubin. 

A pregnant woman should be tested during her first prenatal visit for Rh incompatibility. An Rh factor test can be used to help determine whether you are Rh negative or positive. If you are Rh-positive, there is no concern for Rh incompatibility. If the test indicates that you are Rh-negative, your prenatal care team should take steps to protect your baby from potential harm.

What Is Hemolytic Disease?

Hemolytic disease (erythroblastosis fetalis) is a condition caused by blood incompatibility between a mother and her fetus. It is most often caused by Rh incompatibility, where the mother’s antibodies begin to break down a fetus’s red blood cells. Babies diagnosed with hemolytic disease may become anemic, and it may cause a build-up of bilirubin. 

A baby with hemolytic disease may be born with jaundice due to a build-up of bilirubin. They may also have an enlarged liver or spleen and could have an increased risk of being stillborn. After birth, a child may suffer from hyperbilirubinemia, jaundice, or kernicterus. Kernicterus can cause serious harm, such as seizures and brain damage. In some cases, it may prove fatal.

What Is ABO Incompatibility?

In addition to Rh-incompatibility, a pregnant woman may have ABO incompatibility. ABO incompatibility occurs when a mother has a blood type that is incompatible with their unborn child’s. If the blood mixes, the mother’s blood may form antibodies that can attack the fetus’s red blood cells. While often less serious than Rh incompatibility, it can still result in a number of health concerns. 

What Are the Risk of Birth Injuries Due to Rh-ABO Incompatibility?

Undiagnosed or untreated, Rh-ABO incompatibility can result in serious injury to an unborn child. The incompatibility may cause a build-up of bilirubin, leading to severe jaundice. It may cause a condition known as hemolysis which can result in life-threatening anemia. It can also prove fatal for some infants. 

If your child suffered a birth injury due to Rh-ABO incompatibility, you need to speak with a birth injury attorney. A lawyer can help you understand your rights, including whether you are entitled to compensation due to medical malpractice.

Was Your Child Diagnosed with a Birth Injury?

If your child was diagnosed with a birth injury related to Rh-ABO incompatibility, contact our office at (215) 866-2424 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. There are no fees unless we win. Call now to get started.